Top 3 Macedonian Ground Meat Dishes

One of the staples of traditional Turkish cuisine, sarma consists of a filling that is snugly surrounded by leaves or leafy vegetables. There are numerous versions of this dish but the mixture typically combines ingredients such as minced meat, rice or bulgur, various herbs, seasonings, red pepper, paprika, ground sumac, or tomato sauce, while the typical wrapping usually includes vine, cabbage, or sauerkraut leaves, or a variety of leafy vegetables such as collard greens and swiss chard. Having its roots in the Ottoman Empire, sarma is also traditionally consumed in the Balkans, the countries of Central Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East. Although it is commonly enjoyed as a filling lunch or dinner (typically during the winter season), sarma is often prepared on special occasions and holidays. The dish is usually accompanied by plain yogurt, mashed potatoes, and crusty bread on the side.Expand

Polneti piperki is a hearty North Macedonian dish consisting of peppers stuffed with ground meat, rice, and selected seasonings. Sometimes, chopped vegetables are added to the stuffing. The dish is usually roasted in the oven until the peppers are slightly charred. It is recommended to serve the stuffed peppers with mashed potatoes on the side.Expand

Ajdučka pleskavica is a traditional chicken meat patty hailing from North Macedonia. The dish is typically made with white meat cuts of chicken (breasts and wings) that are seasoned and stuffed with shredded yellow cheese and cubes of smoked meat such as bacon. The meat patty is then enclosed within lamb caul fat or pork caul fat and grilled. Alternatively, the patty can be dipped in beaten eggs and breaded before it is fried. Like other traditional meat patties in the country, this chicken meat patty is usually served hot with a side of french fries, fresh salads, and onions. It can also be placed inside a burger bun or warm pita bread, and it pairs well with a cold beer on the side.Expand